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When you’re planning to travel with important gear and belongings, choosing the right piece of luggage is vital. If you travel hard, you’re better off skipping luxury luggage sets designed for urban travel and five-star hotels. For off-the-map adventures, extreme sports excursions, and journeys to places where the weather changes quickly, you need durable luggage that can truly protect your gear.
From hauling bulky cargo to transporting specialty sports gear, outdoor luggage offers stronger materials, reinforced zippers and seams, and helpful features that just make sense. When you’re shopping for a new wheeled duffel bag or rugged carry-on, you should look for these important configurations and components.
More pockets means better organization. If you’re traveling with professional and personal gear or a large collection of specialty items and accessories, you can keep everything in its place by choosing durable luggage with interior dividers, external pockets, and roomy main compartments.
Look for pockets with double zippers so you can easily add a travel-size lock to protect your valuables. Front and side-facing pockets come in handy for storing items you use the most, like chargers, maps, and snacks.
Wet/dry compartments also help you separate your soggy bathing suit or towel from your other gear.
Wheeled luggage is easier to maneuver in train stations, airports, and hotels, especially if you’re hauling heavy gear! Look for durable wheel housings, sturdy wheels with treads, and self-cleaning wheels if you plan to travel on rough ground.
Your suitcase’s handle is an often-overlooked feature, but it’s as important as the wheels. Collapsing handles with two locking positions are adaptable for different situations and travelers of different heights. Zippered handle compartments keep the handle clean and protected when not in use.
Most outdoor luggage is sized based on liter capacity. Bags come in sizes ranging from a compact 38-liter carry-on to an expansive 130-liter size.
Investing in luggage from a leading brand is always a safe bet. Not only do brands like Osprey, Eagle Creek, The North Face, and Jansport offer consumer-friendly warranties on their products, but they also select high-end components, materials, and accessories to improve durability and user experience.